All things baki
personal
How are your resolutions holding up?
2It has been too long! I wonder how all the resolutions are doing. Are we in denial yet? What resolution….I never said I’d workout more.
Well I have been away….again. But this time I have a great excuse….like I always do. Life has been busy, yet fantastic.
I started a new job at the beginning of the year. This means that I don’t have to edit weddings anymore…..yeah! That was great while I was doing it but I sure am glad a new opportunity came my way. Now I am working at Akron Children’s Hospital. My job title is ‘Multimedia Producer and Designer’.
The job entails a ton of different things as far as video work and editing. I have been doing a lot of motion graphics and green screen work which is amazing. I pretty much shoot and edit educational videos for kids and doctors and online videos for PR and Marketing. It’s a great place to be but definitely keeping me on my toes. I feel like I’m really putting my degree to the test…..finally. Which reminds me, that I am allowed to do work on the side now. So, if you need anything edited….shoot me an email.
Aside from that, I have started working for someone else’ blog. So, I have been writing, but not much for my own blog. You should check out my posts and all the others. The site is Social Technology Review. It’s an end all for social media marketing. I’ve got a new post going up this weekend, too. But this has been great to work with. The research is crazy but interesting. I hope you guys check out some of my posts.
That’s what’s new with me in the big picture. What’s going on with all of you? How are your resolutions doing? Great I hope. Let me see what all I’ve been hoping to do….
I don’t fish enough. And I don’t. I don’t workout enough, or read enough or write enough. I don’t paint….ever. I don’t call my grandma enough or listen to my vinyl collection enough. I barely ride my bike or go for a run. I haven’t kicked a soccer ball around in six month and my longboard is collecting dust.
I haven’t been fishing. I don’t mind fishing in the cold but it has truly been frigid. I promise to go soon. I have been working out. A bunch actually. I’ve been running and lifting. My muscles are enormous, even though no one will admit it. But I got myself a gym membership and have been going often. I am proud of that. My new job gets me a big discount, too so it was little stress on my wallet.
I have been reading more. I’m almost finished with a book I just started in January. I have been writing and just submitted last week for a writing group that I’ve been in for a couple years. I hadn’t submitted a piece since October. I wrote in a style that I’ve never written in before and the response was more positive than anything I’ve ever written. This has really shaken my thoughts on what I thought was my style. Which is great. So, I’m making waves in my own life.
I saw my grandma over the holidays but she deserves a call, right? I think that is in order this weekend. The vinyl collection is being used more and more. I just purchased Mumford and Sons “Sigh No More” (which reminds me that I never wrote my Lollapalooza post…damn) and that has passed a few times through the needle. The speed on the player is slowing and I want to get that repaired. Anyone know how easy or hard that might be?
I have been running at the gym between lifting so I feel good about that. But I will admit; the bike, soccer ball and longboard are still collecting dust until this stupid snow is gone. I have no remorse about that.
All in all, I’m proud. I have been doing things for me and doing them successfully for the most part. This hasn’t taken away from what needs to get done around the house at all. Actually, after doing these things for myself, I’m energized and find myself more apt to do my normal chores. I’m really feeling great about it.
But it’s only February. So, I’ve got a long way to go. I’m trying to work hard and continue all of these things. There should be a help group for resolutions. Maybe this is it. I will try to keep this blog up to date. I love writing on here but I love my own fiction work and screenplay stuff too. It’s hard to find time for everything and not feel like you’re spreading yourself too thin. But I will post as much as I can.
I feel like I’m doing a pretty good job with these promises. But, be honest…..are you keeping those resolutions?
What are you resolutin’ to do?
10
The time of year is upon us when we say goodbye to our past and get a feeling of a new beginning. A new year is upon us and we can be whoever we want to be in this new year. Or is it a big pile of bull?
I actually like the whole idea that you can reinvent yourself. You think you’re a little too big, so you say you’re gonna get skinnier. You think you don’t give enough, so you’re gonna be a little giver….These sound like song lyrics. Well for me, 2011 is going to be all about….well, me.
I will be starting a new job right away. It will be a really exciting time. I’m getting married next summer and who knows after that. This is going to be a year where I get back to basic. I was just thinking the other day…I don’t fish enough. And I don’t. I don’t workout enough, or read enough or write enough. I don’t paint….ever. I don’t call my grandma enough or listen to my vinyl collection enough. I barely ride my bike or go for a run. I haven’t kicked a soccer ball around in six month and my longboard is collecting dust.
So, these are my resolutions. To be happier, healthier and have more fun-ier. I waste too much time doing nothing when there are so many great things to be doing.
If I had to really focus my resolution, it would be to do more things I like. I love all of those things but I never seem like I have the time. I’ve got the time, I just find it easier to pretend like I don’t. But these things are so much fun, so what’s the problem?
I want to know what you’re doing. What’s your big resolution this year? I love the idea that you are going to be a better you. So do it. Don’t lie and say it….do it.
**PS. If your resolution is to give more, be sure to check out my Salvation Army online kettle. It ends tomorrow and I don’t think I’m going to hit my goal. Help my dreams come true!!!
Keep giving!
2I’ve had some very generous donations to my online kettle for the Salvation Army. I’m excited that people love to support things like that. Feel free to keep donating by clicking the red kettle to the right. I’m almost half way to my goal, so keep helping!
I love looking at other things that can be done to help out and if you read Kelly’s comment from the last post, you’ll see a couple of good ideas.
I just wanted to highlight a few more and encourage more comments on what others can do.
My favorite is “Chrome for a Cause“. Click that link and check it out. But basically, you download the new browser and every time you open a new tab, donations are made. At the end of the day you get to decide which of the 5 charities get your money. This is amazing and everyone should be doing it. Most importantly…This ends December 19th. So, if you’re just gonna sit on your fat butt this holiday and surf the web, at least download chrome and help people who don’t have water. Plus, the new browser is pretty sweet, too.
Another one that has been around for a while is Operation Smile.It’s a good time of the year to help a kid smile. This organizations helps give free surgeries to repair cleft lip, 
cleft palate and other facial deformations to children all over the world. It’s great because there are so many different ways to help. You can simply send money by clicking the “donate online” button at the top. Or you can shop their catalog and purchase items that they need, like medicines or hospital gowns or for the big hearts, you can sponsor an operating table. They also have a “OneSmile” program where you make your own page and encourage friends and family to donate to help raise even more money.
Another great thing that people find fun is donating an animal. It’s a pretty cool idea. Two of the big ones are Oxfam and Heifer. They both work pretty much the same way. After little research, Oxfam seems more global and huge while Heifer seems more focused on certain groups (which I could be wrong about), but both are great. You basically “purchase” an item as a gift. Select anything like worms, baby chicks, goats, or a camel…whatever. And you pay for that and get a card to give to someone which would basically be like 
donating that in their name. But imagine how rewarding it would be to actually know that you sent a goat to a family so that they can have milk for years. That’s how you provide! Now, you’ll never even know, but do understand that in some cases, they may send different animals. They send what is needed. They try to send what is purchased but if 5,000 baby chicks are purchased and they don’t need baby chicks, then they will send something else. Like I said, you’ll never know anyway.
Finally, we come to the best of the best (in my personal opinion)…..Kiva. Please, someone tell me why this doesn’t have more publicity. I will break it down simply and you can do more research if you wish. Say you have $100 to donate. You can go to Kiva.org and put your 
money there. What you do is you select someone to receive your money. They list how much they need and their stories right on the site. You select the exact person who gets it. But here’s the twist. These aren’t starving people, these are entrepreneurs. These are workers who need money for their business. These businesses are in third world countries and they typically entail tools to help build a school or fencing for their cattle but they can be anything. Please check it out because I think it’s awesome. So….it gets better. You aren’t donating the money to them, but you are lending it. They make payments back to you through a field agent and they deposit this money back in your online account on the site. So when they repay your $100, you turn and give it to another person and so on. How awesome. Your $100 could inevitable help so many more people. These aren’t just starving children but workers who are fighting to rid their own town of starvation. It’s the whole “teach a man to fish” scenario.
So, there are just a few more. If nothing else, just send some links to others and maybe they donate because of you.
Again, have a great holiday…be super safe and don’t be afraid to open your wallet to people you don’t know. That will give you a feeling bigger than Christmas morning.
Do Something Good….
2The holidays are coming fast, some are already here (Jewish shoutout!!!)…My question to all of you is, what are you doing that’s good?
The sad thing is that for a lot of people, this is the only time of year where they really think about other people. Once a year we give and donate to help those who are less fortunate. The good thing is that we open out hearts (and our wallets) so wide that we can make a lot of change for the entire year after.
So, tell me what you are doing to make the world around you better? Are you recycling? Did you put some change in that red kettle outside of Walmart? Are you volunteering? Maybe making donations. Whatever you are doing, I think it’s fantastic. We can’t all give money and possessions but sometime all people need is your time and compassion.
Let me know what you’re doing? Anything? Every little bit does actually count. What am I doing? We a few years ago, I rang a bell for the Salvation Army. I did it because I was bored and home from school and I think it gave me carpal tunnel. But I remember how fun (and cold) it was ringing that bell. I loved when kids came up and put something in. A lot of parents told me stories about how they were given that money and told they could do anything they wanted with it….they decided to give it to charity. How sweet. All lies I’m sure….but sweet none the less.
But, I am thinking that I will try and ring the bell again. I liked it. And I didn’t have to give them a dime. Just a little of my day. You’d be surprised how great you’ll feel when you’re done.
So, again…..do something good. Anything. Go get your old neighbors trash cans and bring them up to his house after trash day. Do something. Include your whole family and make it “a thing”. The holidays will truly be that much more important to you.
If you want to do something and don’t want to get up off of your desk chair, I started an online kettle for the Salvation Army. My goal is a measly $200. You can donate anything. And EVERY little bit counts. So click the picture below and get me to that $200 mark.
Tell me what you’re doing this holiday season. Give some ideas for what other people can do to help. If the Salvation Army isn’t your kind of charity, I will find one that will fit you. Let me know!
Do something good for others and the joy you’ll get will make it feel like you did it for you. Be safe!
I’m Back!…Let me tell you where I went.
6
Hey everyone. I am back and I’m sorry I was away. If you ever read my old blog then you will understand that that is just something that happens.
But I hope we will be seeing more of each other. I was away for two reason. I remade and relaunched my resume website, BrandanBaki.com and put on some new videos, which you should check out. As of January I will be working at a new job at the Akron Children’s Hospital as a doctor. Or as a multimedia producer, whichever they need. I will be handling their video needs for a bunch of facets. I am very excited about this.
I made a new Freelance page on my resume site too, so if you need any video work (or slideshows) at all that’s listed there, please contact me and see if I can do what you’re looking for.
The second thing that I have been working on is another blog. I know, I can’t handle one blog properly, why take on two? Well, I super enjoy this blog and want to continue its use as a personable blog, which I will keep doing. But I do want to fully break into the whole blogging world with a true niche blog. I am still ironing out some kinks. I had an idea that I loved but think it may be too mountainous for me to take on right now.
If you have any good ideas for something that I may be good at, let me know. It’s supposed to be something that I know about and could write many posts about. And it needs to be quite specific. So, not cars, or even Honda’s but civics and maybe just something more specific about them. Like the safety of Honda civics. Get it? Any help is appreciated. I have a few more ideas that I’m rolling around still but want to make sure that its a well planned step.
As always, thank you all for reading. I will be posting much more often now that I can refocus my attention. Hope everything is wonderful with you all and have a super amazingly safe holiday!!
Baki the Grappler
10I like to do a lot of investigating into my blog and who reads it. It has told me a lot about my content and what people respond to. I am proud to announce that we are international! And not just Canada but the UK, Morocco and New Zealand. If any of you international readers are reading this, leave a comment so I can thank you.
But there are many hits for my last name “Baki”. People seem to search for it all the time. I looked further into it and remembered something that my brother discovered a long time ago. There is an anime called “Baki the Grappler”. It has a great deal of popularity in Japan, New Zealand and the UK. There was a second series called “Grappler Baki” too. We were trying to get our hands on some of the episodes but it seemed too pricey. We would really love to see it.
The story is about a young man named Baki Hanma who is a grappler, or fighter. He thinks he’s the world’s greatest grappler and travels all around to prove it. Apparently, his mom is psycho and this adds some drama. I’m not sure if there is a love story to it. Maybe someone could fill me in. Or tell me where I can see a few episodes.
This always get me thinking about my last name and where the heck it’s actually from. We pronounce it Bake-Eye. Pretty simple. But everyone seems to butcher it severally. I am Caucasian and have no Japanese decent (as far as I know). I have heard that it is actually pronounced differently than my family says it. I have also heard that it was a longer, Hungarian name that was shortened when my ancestors came over to the US. This is quite common so it probably the reason we can’t track it back too terribly far. I am also friends with a few people with my same last name who are all Indian. Another twist and turn.
I thought if I put this out there maybe someone would have a few helpful hints in finding out more about my last name and to tell me where I can see this darn cartoon!
I just wanted to post this for my foreign friends. Please don’t be shy. Let me know where you’re from and why in the heck you’re reading this blog. I would love an international guest poster!
Also, for the Japanese and Indian people, how popular is the name Baki? Not too popular in the States.
Megabus failed me….but I forgive you
3Real quick, I just want the world to know what happened to me on Megabus when I went to Chicago.
The trip there was fantastic. I was just about the last person to arrive at the stop so I had the last open seat for my choosing. I just so happened to be at a table, which I loved. My neighbor was this adorable little old lady. Do you naturally picture a white lady? Well, she was black, you racist. Which has nothing to do with the story but now you’ve got the visual. The trip there was pretty uneventful except that she has another old lady friend sitting across from her and every time I put my headphones on she would instantly talk about me, like they were some sort of soundproof ear buds.
They never said anything bad they were just being old ladies. They kept saying how they can’t believe kids need to keep listening to music and checking their phones. They were funny. They also agreed with everything each other said by saying, “Mmhmm”. But they would really draw out this first M’s. They were pistols!!! They also needed me to help them figure out how to turn their cell phones on when we got to Chicago so they could call their grand-kids. Loved them!
There was a goofy snafu on the way there, though. I almost forgot. The bus driver was too early. Like 30 minutes too early and had to make an extra stop at a rest stop because she said we couldn’t arrive early. She explained that there is no where in downtown that she can just park her bus for that long. Which all made sense. Until we got a little late and then got stuck in traffic outside the city. We ended up being 50 minutes late. Which was funny.
So Chicago….yay!….Now back home.
I was the very first person at the stop. If you’ve ever road Megasbus you’d know this typically means nothing. When the bus pulls up everyone turns into crazed animals and pushes and shoves. I got on after about 25 people. I don’t care though. Not a big deal to me.
So I get on and sit down. Seat by myself, upper deck, power outlet and *drumroll* the Internet works!! Gonna be a great trip…
But wait, the bus driver comes up stair and sits on the rail….shouldn’t you be driving?
He tells us that we’re waiting for another bus because the AC is broke in ours. Its not the coldest air in the world but feels cold to me. But what do I know? I’m not a bus driver. He deals with AC on a daily basis.
New bus comes and we all get off. And we all (like animals) grab our bags off the back. We had to get our own bags. A few people who volunteered (including me) were not allowed to get everyone’s bags. It was frustrating.
But we get on the next bus and I sit. Upper deck by myself….wait, someone comes up and looks my way….my eyes look out the window, I try to fart so the seat is unpleasant but I can’t make it happen. They pass me….whew. Power outlet above my head and the Internet works…….*drumroll* the AC works!!
The bus hit drive and we start moving. About 10 feet….then stop. There is talking downstairs that we can’t hear. The driver comes upstairs and says, this AC isn’t very cold either.
What!? It’s cold. Colder than the last. It’s AC….it’s cold. I tell him that it’s fine.
He snapped at me and said, “Fine for you maybe but it ain’t fine for me. And this isn’t about you. You’re not what I’m worried about. It’s me”
I guess he payed for his ticket, too. He said we were going to wait for another…yes a third! bus.
We waited but nothing ever came. He left the overhead speaker on which was annoying. You could hear everything he said into the radio. He asked another bus and the guy on the other end pretty much said no. He told him the bus was fine. Our driver said he wanted another and the guy on the other end said he’d have to drive to the station if he really wanted one.
After the driver said he was going to just deal with it and go…..we went to the station, no joke!
A bus was waiting there for us. We moved to the next bus. A nice guy who worked for Megabus was outside unloading our bags. He told us he would move all of them for us. How nice of him! Until our driver got on the speaker and said, “I don’t know what ya’ll are doing sittin down when you’ve got bags down here. Ya’ll must be crazy if you think I’m lifting any of these bags.” So we had to all go down and get our bags. Fun!
I go back up and sit down. AC works! But it feels the same as the last bus (mini anxiety attack). So, I sit and breath. Seat by myself, nice! Outlet above my head, connected to the Internet. Gonna be awesome.
The bus starts and we head out. He tells us that the AC is still broke (on the third bus) and that he will just soldier on. How brave of him!
Immediately as we start moving, the lights on the right side of the bus all go out. No one can use them at all. I’m on the left so no worries. Then every other AC vent goes out so the people in front and behind me don’t have AC. Then all the outlets go out on the whole bus.
Atleast we still have the Internet….wait….crap.
Maybe I should think again when buying my transportation…..maybe not. It’s just too cheap. When I pay $8 I expect no AC. So, ride on Megasbus….I forgive you.
Make a difference and a fashion statement
27
Ever heard of TOMS Shoes? Well, if you read my old blog you have. This is yet another Toms post. Why? Because what they are doing is so awesome and I feel like people should know…again.
My friend Jason had a pair on the other day and reminded me all about them. Let’s explain what they do for those of you who don’t know.
Basically, you go to their website and look through their shoes. They have all sorts of amazing products. They have tons of great designs and are extremely comfortable. They start around $34 for kids shoes, I think and go up from there.
They have factories in a few different countries and ensure fair wages for all their workers. They also hire third-party auditors to make sure factory workers are treated fairly and the products are being made properly.
I imagine they sought to create a cheap shoe so they could then give a cheap shoe away. What ended up happening was that they created an amazingly comfortable and durable shoe that started a fashion trend around the world where a common consumer can become a humanitarian in the click of a button.
They have added more and more merchandise as the program has grown. They started with the traditional TOMS that most people know. It has turned into a massive selection now.
So, you’ve chose your shoe and the price is right and you’ve decided to order. Maybe you feel a little guilty that you’re buying a nice new pair of shoes while kids around the world are walking around barefoot.
Guilt-no-more my friend. For every one pair of shoes Toms sells, they donate one to a child in need. It’s called ‘One for One’. And it has been a crazy success. Toms has volunteers who organize the giving and make these trips around the world to fit kid’s feet and give them shoes. Last I read (which was on their Twitter page) they just gave away their one millionth pair. How amazing is that?
Why shoes? Well, Blake Mycoskie came up with idea in 2006 when he befriended children in Argentina who had no shoes. He started TOMS with the theory that you can give someone a product and in turn they can help an individual. Shoes seem like no big deal to us, maybe even a fashion trend, right? Well, to developing countries they could save your life. Soil-transmitted diseases are a leading cause of illness. Keeping the feet protected will allow them to work and play without harm. Some of these villages also have dress codes for their school which include shoes. Without shoes some children are actually turned away.
So, I looked through the products and they have made some great new ones. They now have art canvas shoes which are actually designed by artists. They have tiny TOMS for your kids which are very low priced and look super cool. The women have the most choice, I think. There are tons of different shoe styles. My favorite, though might be the Wedding Collection. This is such a cool idea.
Click to shop TOMS Wedding Styles for Kids – Save $5 Using Promotional Code: “KIDS5″!
Last time I posted, I was looking into buying a pair and I never did. I will buy a pair this time if this post generates 10 unique comments. (Unique means 10 different people.) I want to know if people are reading posts like this. I think its an amazing organization and with more buzz and purchases it can keep helping.
They do not accept donations but if you’re extremely passionate about this organization, consider giving your time. They are (as of 8-12-10) NOW HIRING!
One for One works. But you’ve got to buy one to help one.
Check out their Twitter and Facebook pages.
Here’s a video of them giving to children in Port Au Prince. You can help them continue giving!
TOMS SHOES HAITI from David Darg on Vimeo.
Let the SocialSpark begin . . .
2This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Hey all and welcome to the blog. Please read whatever you think might interest you and give me as much feedback as you can. We’re still in the early stages and we want to get content that you guys will find interesting. If this is your first time here you may notice the ads to the side. Feel free to click on anything here and support the sponsors, nothing is dangerous, I promise.
Also, feel free to skip any of the sponsors and just enjoy the blog. Everything is honest. Anything that I receive as far as payment is opinion. For example, they asked me to give feedback for their site. This is allowed to be positive or negative. So, put your guard down and trust me. This is a safe place!
The sponsorship is hand selected and from sites like SocialSpark. This is a community of bloggers and sponsors that join forces to promote products that I think my readers may be interested in. No one puts anything up here without me agreeing to it.
Social Spark has been one of my favorite communities for this. They have tons of options in what I can do but the community of bloggers is amazing. It’s sort of its own mini social network. People are very helpful and the format is great. People contact you based on your site content and you can select what you put in there. It’s not ad space they’re paying for. It’s just about always going to be products that I want to buy but can’t.
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